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Clinique Nude Glow Uplighting Illuminating Powder Review, Photos, Swatches

Clinique Nude Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder
Clinique Nude Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder

Clinique Nude Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder ($27.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light-medium peach with warm, orange undertones and a soft, luminous sheen. NARS Give In Take Blush II (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). NYX Narcissistic (P, $9.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Sleek MakeUP Equinox (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Kosas Velvet Melon (High Intensity) (Highlighter) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). MAC She's a Rainbow (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Aura (P, $30.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). MAC Glow Rida (LE, $22.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). NABLA Cosmetics Privilege (P, $26.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Suqqu Yawakouki (05) (P, $34.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Tarte Moonlight (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). ColourPop Highly Waisted (P, $10.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). MAC Rose Gold FX (LE, $31.00) is darker (90% similar). Chanel Warm Gold (20) (P, $58.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Hourglass Surreal Strobe Light (LE, $40.00) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Taffy (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Norman Parkinson (LE, $32.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). NARS Last Call (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Too Faced Sweet Peach Illuminator (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). ColourPop On the Cusp (LE, $10.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). bareMinerals The Brilliant Sunset (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

The Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder is supposed to be a “sheer illuminating powder” that gives skin a “candle-lit, radiant glow” that can be used alone, as a finishing powder, or as a highlighter. It had sheer, buildable coverage that could get up to semi-opaque (three layers) with a very soft, smooth, and blendable texture that felt almost cream-like to the touch. There are three shades available, and this is the lightest of the three (they get progressively darker). On my light-medium complexion, it gives just a hint of warmth that evens out the natural redness in my cheeks and gives a low-key sheen–enough that my skin looks awake and brightened but not metallic or shiny. I think fans of subtler highlighters will like this finish, whereas if you tend to gravitate towards more frosted and metallic highlighters, you’ll find this too subtle. This shade lasted for eight hours on me before fading noticeably.

Clinique Nude Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder
Clinique Nude Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder

Clinique Nude Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder
Clinique Nude Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder

Clinique Nude Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder
Clinique Nude Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder

Clinique Nude Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder
Clinique Nude Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder

Clinique Nude Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder
Clinique Nude Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder

Clinique Nude Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder
Clinique Nude Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder

Clinique Nude Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder
Clinique Nude Glow Up-Lighting Illuminating Powder

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Foundation
  • Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder
On eyes:
  • Too Faced Totally Cute Eyeshadow Palette
  • Urban Decay Scorch Eyeliner
On lips:
  • Smashbox Pretty Social Be Legendary Lipstick

34 Comments

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kjh Avatar

Very nice and highly applicable to a wide range of skintones. (Cool, warm, neutral, but not-so- much with the darker than medium .) Peachy can be suitable when gold seems too warm. Generally like this subtle sheen style. Full-on would look pretty glaring on us old folks. I’m surprised that no one has/? there aren’t more truly transparent/colorless highlighters out there. Guess some of Maran comes close. You know, layer it over, and it gives the highlight that oil gives, without adding color?

Robin Avatar

Hi,
I used to buy this when it was Uplighting by Clinique and in liquid form. It’s a healthy color to the cheeks; it subtle and natural looking on my very fair skin. Can’t wait to try the powder!

Susan Dowman Nevling Avatar

I like this very much. Both color and finish. In addition, I like your eye look. I did a similar one for an outdoor party this weekend.

Nikole Avatar

Christine, did you also swipe some onto your neck? I spy a highlighted area around your collarbone – pretty! I like this on you.

Emily Schwent Avatar

Okay thank you! I’m just trying to decide between this and the hourglass powder in luminous light! I have used the hourglass before and love it but don’t love the price. This seems like it could be a good, cheaper alternative.

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